THE PLAYGROUND.

Southland Times, Issue 19123, 15 December 1923, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE PLAYGROUND.

Sports and Pastimes.

A special tit-bit for blase gamblers: — , •‘Came across a timber-getter on the Snowy 1 Iwenty miles from anywhere,” says a Smith's Weekly contributor. “To pass away the time anti get excitement, he caught eels on week-nights and consigned them to ; kerosene tins until Sunday. Each Sunday was a race day. The eels were liberated two at a time, while Broadaxe wagered with himself a to which would reach the water first. Frantically he urged his choice, and cheered if it won. After every race, money was changed from one pocket to another—winnings or losings duly recorded at night. Though taken a considerable distance, the eels invariably headed in the direction of the stream. “ The last time the All Blacks were here,” •ays a writer in the English Athletic News, •‘they introduce us to the five-eighths formation. I know, of course, that they played three three-quarter backs, and that they had their full quota of forwards, but at any rate the formation was outside what might also be described as the unwritten rules of the game. It will surely only be logical, if Leicester, Bath, etc., are to be reprimanded by the Rugby Union for not ■observing these unwritten rules, for the J«'ew Zealanders to be told before they arrive that they must nlease be orthodox. Jr is possible that too much attention has been paid to a subject which has very little chance of e cr finding a sponsor to bring before the Rugby Union. It is mere than Jikeiy that a good many members of that ’body, like a g.xxl many members of the public. aie not enamoured of the five three-qusrter-back game, but there is a very big difictence r c vcen holding those views and go rg so far a to prohibit clubs following their own bor.t, and playing as many backs anu fen.- r > as they are perfectly entitled to do by the rules of the game.” Any mui bland angler who feels disposed to conn ;?, a that filling here is not what it usee io is invitee to read this as a rur ' At ■ ipetition organised by the Naticr.a! deration of English Sea Anglers at .Varga r rc ently, 897 entered. They cf'jghi bsh, the total weight of which was 21611 b 2ox! l?c :•'isur.l happening of two boxers being cut of he ring at once during the course of a fight occurred in America recently. The contestants were the British boxer, Bermondsey Billy Wells, a welter-v-’e:ght, and Jinny Jones of Ohio. Both fei’ through the ropes. Wells getting a cut head and an injured back and Jones a nasty knc-ck on the left leg. When they climbed back into the roped area, Wells was unable to go on with the fight, but I-- both men had been out of the ring for inore than ten seconds, the referee declared the fight no contest. Recently a British Rugby writer, who advanced some original if rather fantastic views about the future development of Rugby. prophesied the playing of matches at night. We have not got as far as that in this country, except for night practice, in America the innovation has been tr.ed and as might be expected the novelty of it has caught on with the sensation-fed Americans. By means of good lighting, ’• r field’s as bright as day. and it instated that there is no need to whiten the ball. Imagin'’ being chased by a riderless bicycle? What? you say. Well, before you scoff, read this. It happened at the athletic sports at English Park last Saturday Isays Christchurch Sunk There was a comedy bicycle race. One competitor rode a low-framed bike, and another was perched on an old fashioned one with a big wheel. According to an arrangement, rh* 1 man on the small bicycle fell off, and as he tumbled he gave an impetus to his machine, but—and this was not according to arrangement—the bike gaily set off on tita own. It went for a chain or so, and ihcn began to edge towards the man on the big cycle. He liedaDed frantically to avoid a crash and spill. And for some distance the Issue was in doubt, while the spectators chirped their delight. He just won clear.